Kogo continues rehabilitation with triumph at Great Yorkshire Run

Kogo got away from Thompson around the 7km mark and stretched his winning margin to 18 seconds. It was the second successive runner-up spot in this race for Thompson who said he was now free from the injury which caused him to miss the World Championships.

Thompson achieved much acclaim when he finished runner-up to Mo Farah in last year’s European 10,000m but his career has been interrupted by injuries.

After a fine early season, he had to miss the World Championships this year because of his latest injury and yesterday’s Sheffield race marked an early stage of his rehabilitation which should see him compete at London 2012.

He shortly returns to his training base in the USA where he will step up his Olympic preparations. For him it will not be a question of which event he wants to do. He is determined to go for selection for both the 10,000m and 5,000m.

Gemma Steel (Charnwood) beat pre-race favourite Jo Pavey (Exeter) for the women’s title.

Third in this race last year, Steel has improved greatly since then and came to prominence in the London BUPA 10K by beating Paula Radcliffe in a personal best of 32:48.

Winner on that occasion was Pavey, but this time Steel was too good for her by 20 seconds, clocking 32.52, just four seconds outside her best.

Simon Deakin (Leeds City) proved to be an easy winner of the opening race of the Complete Runner West Yorkshire Cross Country League at Guiseley yesterday.

The league title is decided on the best three results from the four races and Deakin gave notice that he will be difficult to depose as League Champion.

He opened up a 49-second gap over runner-up Matthew Pierson (Holmfirth) with former champion Ian Fisher (Otley), returning after a lay-off, running well to take third place.

With Alan Buckley (4th), Martin Gostling (6th), Dale Worton (7th), Martin Roscoe (9th) and Martin Hilton (10th) all packing in the top 10 in a field of 220), Leeds City swamped the opposition in the team race.

Katie Walshaw (Holmfirth), the defending women’s champion, started with an impressive win over Jo Buckley (Bingley) who narrowly beat Leeds City’s Claire Duck for second place. Holmfirth won the team title.